"An excellent text for encouraging students to think critically about key public relations issues. Not only does it help students to develop a deeper appreciation of public relations, it also helps them to develop valuable learning skills." - Amanda Coady, The Hague University "A typically excellent piece of work from Jacquie L'Etang. Critical of every basic concept and provocative to all students. Ideal for second and final year undergraduates, plus MA students." - Chris Rushton, Sunderland University "Extending beyond the usual bounds of insularity, this text is designed to encourage critical thought in students and improve practice in workplaces. A refreshing read that is consistently inventive enough to attain both aims." - David McKie, Waikato Management School "At long last fills a void in the landscape of text books on public relations theory and practice... it develops critical thinking skills while exposing interdisciplinary approaches and providing a very solid foundation for lively debate and further study - Julia Jahansoozi, University of Central Lancashire This book introduces students to the key concepts in Public Relations, with 12 chapters providing clear and careful explanations of concepts such as: Reputation Risk Impression management Celebrity Ethics Persuasion and propaganda Emotional and spiritual dimensions of management Promotional culture and globalization Drawing on a wide range of interdisciplinary sources, Jacquie L'Etang also encourages students to think critically about public relations as an occupation. Student exercises, 'critical reflections', vignettes and 'discipline boxes' help students to widen their intellectual perspective on the subject, and to really engage the thinking that has shaped both the discipline and practice of public relations.
Jacquie L'Etang's books and articles have largely focused on historical, historiographical and critical themes in public relations. Recently retired, her career was spent at the University of Stirling and Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh. She currently supervises some doctoral students at QMU.
Introduction Critical Thinking and Interdisciplinary Perspectives Public Relations Defining the Discipline and the Practice Reputation, Image and Impression Management Risk, Issues and Ethics Public Affairs and the Public Sphere Media Perspectives Critique, Effects and Evaluation Health Communication and Social Marketing Public Relations and Management Organizational Communication Understanding and Researching Organizations Public Relations in 'Promotional Culture' and 'in Everyday Life' Public Relations in a Globalized World Key Thinkers and Thought in Public Relations
L'Etang reinvents the textbook genre in form and content while simultaneously investing it with elan and serious fun in a reflective and theoretically informed fashion. Extending beyond the usual bounds of insularity, this text is designed to encourage critical thought in students and improve practice in workplaces. A refreshing read that is consistently inventive enough to attain both aims. -- David McKie At long last fills a void in the landscape of text books on public relations theory and practice. This book is of immense value for students embarking on a public relations programme of study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level... The book's core strength is that it develops critical thinking skills while exposing interdisciplinary approaches and providing a very solid foundation for lively debate and further study. -- Julia Jahansoozi
